The Callaway Epic hybrid brings the high-tech, premium materials approach of the Epic woods and irons to the hybrid sector.
The shape is very similar to recent Callaway hybrids such as the Steelhead XR Hybrid with the deep face and the high, square looking toe.
The face is made from forged 455 steel and uses a Face Cup with a thinner rim and more flexible hinge to maximise ball speeds.
At address it is a little more compact than the Steelhead XR to appeal to better players, but still generous enough not to put off most mid to high handicappers too.
The ball is framed by the Speed Step crown either side of the white chevron, which is nominally there to maximise aerodynamic speed. As we have discussed before, this is not going to hurt, but is unlikely to add much in a head of this size.
The main difference in the crown is the use of the same Triaxial Carbon from the Epic driver to save weight up top so that it can be positioned lower in the head.
The Triaxial Carbon is 65% lighter than titanium and means the crown weighs just 5 grams and has a pretty cool look too.
Most of it heads into the tungsten infused Internal Standing Wave that is a 35g moulded piece of metal inside the head positioned to get the CG low and back for better launch and more forgiveness.
The Epic Hybrid comes with a UST Mamiya Recoil ES 780 graphite shaft that looks great in a silver finish, which always works for me, and compliments the head very well.
The performance from the Epic Hybrid was really solid with a lovely sound and feel and consistent performance from the fairway, tee and longer grass so this is really an all-round hybrid.
The flight seemed more mid than high relative to other hybrids, but the usual Callaway OptiFit hosel allows you to change any of the four lofts down 1° or up 1° or 2° in standard or draw settings.
Obviously hybrids are there to fit gaps in your set rather than being distance clubs so taking them on GC2 I was focussing on consistency. I also changed the 20° loft up 2° using the adjustable hosel and you can see that the launch angle was a degree or two higher and the spin was up, and on average it took 5 yards off the carry so it did its job.
That is not a major difference in terms of distance but in terms or flight and ease of getting the ball airborne the hosel does offer a good degree of flexibility.
Really there is very little to fault with the Epic Hybrid and the use of a carbon crown in a hybrid is unusual and makes this stand out in the market.
What also makes it stand out is the Epic price that is around 40% more than the Steelhead XR. However for mid to low handicappers the Epic Hybrid is going to be more to their tastes visually and for better players it gives more flexibility and forgiveness than the Apex hybrid so I think it is worth the extra investment.